Marwell Meerkats

The original Meerkat enclosure at Marwell had to be replaced and a location immediately outside the newly opened Café Graze was chosen as it would draw visitors towards the Café.

The linear aspect ratio of the site and its existing landscape character provided the opportunity to have a split enclosure allowing 2 families or species to cohabit in natural topography and planting. Similarly the house is split but can be united if a single group was to grow large enough.

The enclosure walls are formed from continuous close jointed sleepers with varying heights – mimicking the Café cladding. The house is incorporated by a ‘swelling and heightening’ the enclosure wall creating its distinctive dynamic form.